…No joy for imbibers

Ndakaziva Majaka

Revelers in Zimbabwe should brace for a dry summer as Government does not seem ready to reopen bars and nightclubs anytime soon.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said his ministry was advocating extension of operating hours for restaurants.

He could not, however, say the same of bars and nighclubs.

“Submissions have been made to have restaurants have their operating hours extended,” he told ZTN on Thursday.

“On the issue of bars and nightclubs, I did not know that I am the one who comments: see how extensive the sector is!

“However, this is a discussion that has not yet come up.”

Zimbabwe closed bars and nightclubs in March 2020 after recording Covid-19 cases and going on lockdown.

Sale of alcohol is still allowed.

Imbibers have been eagerly awaiting a “return to normal service”.

“We are patient; so we will wait. However, we believe bars and nightclubs are part of the tourism industry,” said Munyaradzi Kamambo of Harare.